Chapter 31 There’s No Santa! #2
“Hi Brie, I got you on speakerphone, and Josie wants to ask you something.”
From beside me, Josie leans over and yells into the phone. “Do you want to come over and spend Christmas with us? Please, please, please.”
Brie giggles. “I would absolutely love to.”
Josie bounces on the stool. “Yes! And you have to wear Christmas pajamas—it’s the rule.”
“You know,” Brie teases, “I think I might just have the perfect pair.”
“Yay!” Josie whoops. “I’m putting mine on right now!” She takes off up the stairs before I can stop her.
I take Brie off speaker and lift the phone. “She wanted to do the inviting herself.”
“It was sweet. She’s an amazing girl.”
I lower my voice. “Also, just so you know, once you’re in my bed, the pajamas come off.”
“Oh, so you’re assuming I’ll be spending the night?”
“Might as well pack for the entire weekend.”
When I mentioned the idea to Josie, she jumped around the house. She listed everything we could have for breakfast, games we could play, and movies we had to watch. I love that she’s just as excited about Brie as I am. Maybe more.
Her laugh bubbles through the speaker, warm and teasing. “Bye, Logan.”
Not long after, a knock rattles the door. Josie launches off the couch and flings it open. “Brie!”
“Hi, Josie. I hope it’s okay I wore my pajamas over.” Brie tugs her coat open to reveal red-and-green flannel pajamas plastered with Santas and reindeer.
Josie gasps. “Yes! We match!” She flips up the hood of her Christmas onesie, complete with stuffed antlers.
“That’s absolutely adorable,” Brie coos.
I push off the couch. “Josie, maybe let Brie in before she turns into an icicle.”
“Oh. Right!” Josie scrambles back, and Brie steps inside, removing her coat.
“My dad has the same pajamas,” Josie declares.
Brie arches a brow, eyes skating over me from head to toe. Her lips twitch like she’s fighting a laugh. “Oh, that’s a sight.”
“Wait—it gets better.” I yank on the hood. The antlers flop from side to side, and when I press the tip of the hood, the red fuzzy nose lights up.
“You look good as a reindeer.” She smirks.
“Not just any reindeer, but Rudolph. Don’t worry, next year, we will get you your own pair. You can be Vixen.”
“I can hardly wait.”
Grabbing her overnight bag, I set it near the staircase.
“We were just about to start the first movie. Honestly, I wasn’t sure you’d actually come.
Figured you’d be knee-deep in planning your Christmas world domination for next year.
” My hand finds the small of her back as I guide her into the living room.
Even that tiny touch lights me up like the nose on my hood.
“The Christmas takeover can wait a day or two.” She sits, curling into the couch cushions. “Besides, I won’t know about the promotion until next week.”
“If you don’t get it, I’ll stage a protest.”
Josie pops up from the makeshift bed on the floor. “I’ll make posters!”
“Thanks. I’m happy to know I have your support.” Her phone chimes with a message. She glances at her phone, brows pinched together. “There’s a new blog post from Emma St. Claire.”
“What does it say?” I lean closer, our legs brushing.
“Mount Holly, Minnesota, is bursting with Christmas cheer all thanks to the Holly Jolly Festival,” Brie reads.
“Then she gushes about all the events—the cookie contests, the over-the-top decorations, the way the whole town turns into a snow globe come to life. Oh, and—” She grins.
“There’s even a quote from Mount Holly hockey legend, Logan Crawford: ‘The Holly Jolly Festival is the best damn festival in the country.’”
A smile tugs at my lips. “Good. She added that part.”
Josie bolts upright. “Dad! She didn’t even mention the carnival.”
“That’s okay, Peanut. I actually wrote a strongly worded email to her to focus on the festival.”
Josie’s mouth drops. “But I wrote her too! I even entered the carnival in a contest so she’d come here!”
I sit straighter. “What?”
“When we moved here, I saw a Christmas magazine at Grandma’s. I filled out the form and sent her an email.” Josie’s bottom lip wobbles.
“Ohhh,” Brie murmurs, nodding. “So that’s why she showed up.”
I tug Josie gently between my knees. “Peanut, that was very sweet. But you can’t email random strangers on the internet, okay?”
Her chin drops. “But it was for the carnival.”
“I know. I love the thoughtful gesture, but you’re too young to be emailing strangers.”
“I’m sorry.” Her gaze drops to the floor. “Am I in trouble?”
“No. Just… don’t do it again.” She nods, and I kiss the top of her head. “Now, why don’t you pick the first movie?”
“Okay.” I pass her the remote, and she goes back to her spot on the floor. She scrolls through the various Christmas movies until she lands on Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch. “We forgot the snacks!” Josie hops up.
“Can you grab them?” I ask.
“I’ll help,” Brie says, following her into the kitchen.
I sink into the couch, a smile pulling at my lips.
Never thought my life would look like this.
I came to Mount Holly for Josie. To heal.
To start over. What I found? Brie. Fierce, determined, stubborn as hell—and the best thing that’s happened to us.
We’ve both grown and changed over the years.
Sure, both of us will always be competitors, but now we’ll also be cheering for each other.
She’s turned my world right-side-up again.
Their laughter drifts from the kitchen before they reappear, Josie carrying a tray of cookies, Brie balancing two bowls of popcorn.
“We couldn’t pick between sweet or salty, so… both,” Brie announces.
Josie passes an English toffee cookie to each of us before setting the tray on the end table. Brie sets the popcorn down, then settles beside me.
I slip my arm around her shoulders, tugging her close. Leaning down, I whisper, “I think my kid likes you more than me.”
Brie grins, snuggling in.
And the truth? I wouldn’t have it any other way. Because having both of them here—my two favorite girls—is all the happiness I need.